FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(August 24, 2016--New Orleans, Louisiana)--The Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc, producers of the annual January 6th Joan of Arc Parade, hosts its 7th annual fall conference about all things Joan of Arc, from a French language workshop to a presentation about Joan of Arc's military leadership skills, and ways locals can get involved in supporting the re-gilding of the Joan of Arc statue in the French Quarter. Attendees can drop in at any time to learn more about the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc, meet seasoned krewe members and leaders, and learn more about the 9th annual Joan of Arc Parade, to be held January 6, 2017, on Joan of Arc's birthday. Anyone interested in medieval studies, local French culture, and Joan of Arc in general, is welcome to attend and enjoy all or parts of the all-day event from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.. The 5:00 p.m. ticketed "Mead and Merry" medieval beverage tasting event is a fundraiser for the krewe and will be held after the final presentation, a staged reading of scenes from a new play, "The Mermaid of New Orleans", penned by the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc's founder and captain, Amy Kirk Duvoisin.

For the past three years, the Salon de Jeanne d'Arc has been held at Loyola University, hosted by Loyola University New Orleans Office of Mission and Ministry and Medieval Studies Program. The event is held is the Audubon Room at the Danna Center, and will include a beignets & café au lait complimentary breakfast sponsored by the French American Chamber of Commerce and Sodexo Catering at Loyola at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend. See below and visit www.joanofarcparade.org for a full schedule. For more information email joanofarcparade@gmail.com.

9:30 a.m. Coffee & Tea hosted by the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc
A great time for new, current, and prospective members to reconnect, renew, or join and get information on the 9th annual 2017 Joan of Arc Parade

10 a.m. Fast French
A free "fast, fun and furious" French workshop led by students and teachers from Alliance Française and local French immersions schools. Limited class, first come, first served. Learn basic French words and phrases in a setup reminiscent of "speed-dating". Participants will go from station to station and learn in 5-10 minute intervals, then move on to the next station.

11 a.m. Beignets & Café Au Lait
French American Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast Chapter presents a beignets & café au lait breakfast hosted by Sodexo Catering at Loyola, a French American Chamber of Commerce member.

11:30 a.m. French Life in New Orleans Panel Discussion
French American Chamber of Commerce presents a panel with French natives who live in New Orleans, moderated by the 2016 Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc King, Eric Belin, director of the French American Chamber of Commerce. Panelists include Alexandre Vialou, Senior Business Analyst for the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and Claire Lebas, PhD, Tulane and Loyola College of Law instructor of French.

12:15 p.m. Lunch Break and Book Signing
Attendees may opt to eat downstairs in the food court at the Danna Center, bring their own lunch, or find food nearby. During the lunch break, a book signing by keynote speaker Dr. Kelly DeVries will be held inside the Audubon Room featuring his book Joan of Arc: A Military Leader, which he will discuss at 12:50 p.m.

 

12:45 p.m. Cannon Demonstration
Get a sneak preview of this cannon replica of those used by Joan's army at the Seige of Orleans, designed by Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc member Irwin Langhoff. The confetti cannon will make its street debut on January 6 in the 2017 Joan of Arc Parade.

12:50 p.m. KEYNOTE LECTURE: JOAN OF ARC AS A MILITARY LEADER
Loyola University Maryland professor, medieval military historian and author Dr. Kelly DeVries discusses his book Joan of Arc: A Military Leader. Sponsored by La Belle Esplanade boutique hotel.

2 p.m. Keep Joan Golden: A Project to Re-Gild and Repair the Joan of Arc Statue
By Monumental Task Committee. Presented by MTC Board Member Ashley Merlin Gold, author of Statuesque New Orleans

3 p.m. Medieval Clothing and Textiles
A presentation by local artist Megan Koza Mitchell, Project Manager, Prospect One New Orleans

4 p.m. "The Mermaid of New Orleans" Staged Reading
Scenes from THE MERMAID OF NEW ORLEANS, a new play by krewe captain and founder Amy Kirk Duvoisin

 

 

5 - 6:30 p.m. Mead & Merry Ticketed Event
Guided tasting of medieval favorites such as mead and cordial, interspersed with medieval drinking songs, led by our favorite bar wench and emcee "Bonnie MacKinlay," who leads the whiskey tastings at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. Limited capacity. Tickets $30 in advance, or $35 at the door (if there are any tickets still left by then!) Get your ticket here!